Efficacy and Compliance of Oral Iron Poly-Maltose Complex versus Oral Ferrous Sulfate in the Treatment of Iron Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy and compliance of the conventional therapy of iron deficiency anemia (ferrous sulfate) with the new forms of therapy chewable iron tablets: (iron polymaltose complex) in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. Methods: This Randomized Control Trial study included 290 pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia, and they were randomly allocated to a control group who received ferrous sulfate capsules for two months and study group who received iron polymaltose complex chewable tablets for two months. Complete Blood Picture (hemoglobin level and hematocrit level) and Serum ferritin level were done after four and eight weeks to determine the efficacy. In addition, any complains or side effects had been reported to assess the tolerability of the drugs. Two-factor repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the change in hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels in both groups. Results: There was no statistical significant difference between the two research groups as regards baseline hemoglobin, and at week 4 from onset of treatment (p values = 0.990, 0.112, consecutively). However, there was statistical significant difference on week 8 of continuous drug intake in both groups in which the iron poly maltose complex research group had significantly higher hemoglobin levels (p value = 0.006). Conclusion: The results of the study showed oral iron polymaltose complex increases Hemoglobin and serum ferritin levels more than oral ferrous sulfate and produces less adverse effects than ferrous sulfate.